INSPECTING PONIES

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20737, 22 February 1939, Page 6

INSPECTING PONIES

INDIAN POLO PLAYER VISIT TO THE WAIKATO SEEKING MOUNTS FOR PURCHASE For the purpose of inspecting polo ponies in the Waikato with a view to prospective purchases for play in India, Lieutenant-Colonel H. de L. Lucas has made a hurried visit to Cambridge. During the visit of two days he has been the guest of Mr and Mrs H. Griffith, of Cambridge. Lieutenant-Colonel Lucas has been in Australia for some weeks as the guest of the Ashton Brothers, famous New South Wales polo internationals, inspecting polo ponies in Australia. Having encountered the New Zealand players and ponies during the Australasian Gold Cup contest at Sydney last year when New Zealand annexed the virtual polo championship of the southern hemisphere, the Ashton Brothers advised Colonel Lucas to visit the Waikato to see the best of the New Zealand ponies. No Purchases Announced Although the visit was hurried, Colonel Lucas saw several strings of ponies around the Cambridge district, being conducted over several stables by Mr K. Peake, the leading polo player of New Zealand, whose farm is situated at Maungatautari, about 14 miles from Cambridge. No definite purchases have been announced vet by the visitor although he was extremely interested in the Waikato mounts.

Although keen to see New Zealand polo players in action. Colonel Lucas was unable to see any play. He will sail for Sydney by the Awatea from Auckland this afternoon, being unable to remain in the country long enough to visit Feilding next montli lor the New Zealand polo championships.